During ischemia, a low level of ATP can activate AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK)-mammalian target of Rapamycin (mTOR) pathway, which leads to autophagy initiation and cardioprotection; while during reperfusion, increased reactive oxygen species could result in the upregulation of Beclin 1 and thus the death of autophagic cells [11]. The gene discussed is MTOR; the disease is ischemia.